Home to the nation's first State University, Chapel Hill is a diverse community of students, educators, and business professionals. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC), authorized by the state constitution in 1776, was chartered in 1789, and opened its doors on January 15, 1795.

Today the campus is the center of the community. Students, residents, and visitors all love the University-lined Franklin Street for shopping, dining, or just a stroll. Dressed in its finest in the spring, the easy rolling dogwood and azalea-studded city looks every bit of heaven when in bloom. In the fall, the rich gold and brown of falling leaves decorate the campus walkways. Both the town and the university provide a wide range of entertainment and cultural activities from National Championship Men's Basketball to the dramatic arts to music. With more than 43,000 residents, it is a place of sophistication without the stuffiness.